BRIEFLY

U.S. trade representative predicts 'worse' times.

U.S. Trade Representative Clayton Yeutter said on NBC's "Today" show that the trade deficit may hit $150 billion this year. Yeutter said the foreign trade imbalance "is going to get worse before it gets better, I'm sorry to say." He said the United States must get the federal deficit under control and must bring interest rates down to lower the value of the dollar. Yeutter, who is going to Japan in August, said "it's time to talk very seriously and candidly with the Japanese about the need to truly open their markets. There's been a lot of marketing-opening in Japan on paper, but not much actual opening."